A Biography of David F. Nolan

DAVE NOLAN was the prime mover behind the formation of the Libertarian Party in 1971. He holds a degree in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his career has included work in publishing, advertising and marketing.

Mr. Nolan was the party’s first national chair, and has served at times as editor of LP NEWS, chairman of the Platform Committee, chairman of the By-Laws Committee, and chairman of the Judicial Committee. He is currently the Libertarian Party’s candidate for U.S. Representative in California’s 47th Congressional District.

In 1996, he received the Libertarian Party’s first Thomas Jefferson Award, for “Lifetime Achievement” in advancing the cause of liberty.

Aside from his role in founding the LP, Mr. Nolan is best known as the originator of the “Nolan Chart,” a two-dimensional map that shows how different political systems relate to one another. This map has largely replaced the old left-right linear political spectrum, and its impact on political thinking led to Mr. Nolan’s being selected for inclusion in “2000 Leading Intellectuals of the 20th Century,” a reference work to be published by the International Biographical Centre (Cambridge, England) later this year.